HAMILTON, Canada—It took over a year for the Delisles to get to Shen Yun Performing Arts’ sold-out show at Hamilton Place, but it was better late than never.
“The show is an amazing show, it’s very, it’s cultural it’s very inspiring, it’s wonderful,” said Jim Delisle, owner of accounting firm Delisle & Associates, from which he is trying to retire but said his clients won’t let him.
Mr. Delisle’s wife agreed with his appraisal of the renowned classical Chinese dance production.
“I thought it was very vibrant, very dynamic, and very fast-paced, like it was taking you into another country, without going there, which was great,” said Paulene Delisle, a retired shopping centre manager.
“It’s amazing,” Mr. Delisle praised Shen Yun’s unique philharmonic orchestra, which includes Chinese instruments leading the melodies. He said he wished he could see into the orchestra pit to actually get a glimpse of the instruments.
“I think it’s fantastic. I wish they could raise the orchestra up so that we can see them,” Mr. Delisle saud.
Shen Yun’s dances include mini-dramas inspired by the stories and legends that span China’s 5,000-year history, “from the Yellow Emperor and through the Tang and Song dynasties and all the way to the modern day,” reads Shen Yun’s website.
Mr. Delisle said he was unfamiliar with the classic Chinese novel, “Journey to the West,” but enjoyed the dances Sand Monk Is Blessed based on a scene within the novel.
“It sparks the interest,” he said. Likewise with the Mongolian Bowl Dance, a traditional dance of welcome that evokes images of geese in flight.
“I think it was fantastic, they’re dancing with the bowls, the bowls on their head, it’s amazing,” he said.
A highlight for the couple was Shen Yun’s digital projections. Vividly animated settings presented through the backdrops aim to extend the stage and transport the audience.
The scenes on the backdrop also interact with the dancers in a way that the Delisles thoroughly enjoyed.
“It’s well done,” said Mr. Delisle. “I think that will bring people back, because people will talk about that and they will want to see it.”
“That’s up to date, that’s now,” said Mrs. Delisle.
Mr. Delisle had wanted to come see Shen Yun in previous years and seriously considered it but missed out because of scheduling issues.
“But this year I saw the tickets, and said ‘Yes, I’m going,'” he said.
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. Shen Yun’s New York Company will play three shows in Hamilton on Jan. 12-13 before going on to Toronto for five shows, completing its tour of eastern Canada. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
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